Road Intersections Near Level Crossings:Intersection Awareness in Illinois

Brian VercruysseIllinois Commerce Commission

Illinois Freight & Passenger Rail Systems

Metra Commuter

Illinois Rail Crossing Statistics

7,027 miles of railroad track2nd largest by State

145,000 miles of highway

3rd largest by State

7,720 public level crossings

2670 public grade separated crossings

Over 50 Railroad Companies6 of 7 Class I’s pass through Chicago

Illinois Level Crossing Characteristics

Road Intersections Near Level CrossingsState of Illinois

Thousands of level crossings near intersections(1000 feet and closer)

300+ Interconnects in Illinois

“Interconnect”: Location where RR Warning devices interconnected to intersection traffic signals

Level Crossings within the intersection to 480’ away from intersection

Traffic Signal Interconnect

- At Its Most Basic -

Traffic Signal Interconnect

- At Its Most Basic -

Traffic Signal Interconnect

- At Its Most Basic -

Interconnect Awareness

October 25, 1995 – Fox River Grove, Illinois

Tragic Event That Focused Global Attention on InterconnectsTrain – School Bus Crash with 7 fatalities and many injuries

Was the start in finding operational and safety concerns, and developing new standards and procedures.

Interconnect Complexities

Found after 10/25/95 – Fox River Grove, Illinois

Railroad Warning Device and Traffic Signal Critical Components

▪ Insufficient Warning Time and Inconsistent Warning Times

▪ Commuter Train Operating Practices (Acceleration within Starts)

▪ Gate Operation Versus Release of Preemption

▪ Traffic Signal Controller - Software LimitationsNo Re-Service to Handle 2nd Train Move or Multiple Preemption Events

Ability to Easily Modify Critical Timing Data – Lack of Security

▪ Criteria & Design: Use of Pre-Signals , Pavement Markings, Signing

▪ Interconnect via 2-wire cable (Simple Short No RR Preempt)

Interconnect Improvements in Illinois

By Year 2000, Majority of Interconnects Upgraded

ICC Regulatory Authority – New Legislation

Formal Process: Petitions, Hearings, Orders

Increase Warning Time & Reduce Variability

Engineering Study Based on Field Conditions Each Interconnect

~$300M+ Spent to Upgrade RR Circuits Alone

Improve Design & Operation of RR Devices: Constant Warning Time

Simultaneous Preemption

Traffic Signal Controller – New IL Software

Re-Service to Handle 2nd Train Move or Multiple Preemption Events

Special Software to Secure Critical Timing and Phase Data – CRC and T&F Security

Shop test all TS Cabinets and Controllers before installation – Review all Intervals

Remote Monitoring (Traffic Signal and RR Devices)

Traffic Signal Cabinet Safeguard – Not able to Install Improper Spare Controller with a Failure

Pre-Signals, Geometric Changes, Signing & Striping

Interconnect via 3-wire cable for Supervisory Circuit

“Interlock” – First Line of Defense (Monitor the Preemption Input to the Traffic Signal Controller)

2002 – Advance Preemption Demonstration ProjectAccount for varying train operations on Commuter Corridors3 years for vendor to make RR circuit operationalUse Simultaneous Preemption in Illinois

Battery Back-up and LED’s

Traffic Signal PhasingLeft on Arrow OnlySplit Phasing

Continued Vigilance

Monitoring Existing Interconnects

Yearly Reviews

New Development near Level Crossings

Changes in Traffic or Train Operations

Pavement Marking, Crossing Condition

New Traffic and RR Controllers

Handling Legacy Equipment/Spares

Continued Vigilance

Institutional Knowledge – Keeping Awareness

Funding Priorities

Crashes vs. Near Misses

Communication: Highway Agency & Railroad

Summary – Interconnect Awareness

Address New Challenges or Concerns

Persistence to Address the Continuing Problems

Awareness = Crash Near Miss Conflicting traffic and/or development Proactive

Provide Barrier (RR Gate) as quickly as possible Limit Downstream Variables

Protect Critical Timing, Phasing, and Circuits

Vigilance and Communication Brian VercruysseSenior Rail Safety SpecialistIllinois Commerce Commission527 E. Capitol AvenueSpringfield, IL 62701(312) 636-7760bvrecruy@icc.illinois.govwww.icc.illinois.gov

End Session 1 – Enjoy Illinois and the Chicago Review

Brian VercruysseSenior Rail Safety Specialist

Illinois Commerce Commission527 E. Capitol AvenueSpringfield, IL 62701

(312) 636-7760bvrecruy@icc.illinois.gov

www.icc.Illinois.gov

Illinois Case Studies

Road Intersections Near Level Crossings

1. Non-Interconnect

2. Interconnect but No Active RR Devices

3. New Interconnect (Over 200’ Away from Crossing)

4. Capacity Upgrades at Existing Interconnect (Pre-Signal)

5. Triangle Configurations with Adjacent Crossings

1. Non-InterconnectRoadway Intersections near Level Crossings

1. Non-InterconnectRoadway Intersections near Level Crossings

1. Non-InterconnectRoadway Intersections near Level Crossings

2. Interconnect – No Active RR DevicesRoadway Intersections near Level Crossings

2. Interconnect – No Active RR DevicesRoadway Intersections near Level Crossings

2. Interconnect – No Active RR DevicesRoadway Intersections near Level Crossings

Push Button to Control Traffic Signals2 Trains Per Week - < 5 MPHLocked Entrance – Security Guard

3. New Interconnect

Roadway Intersections near Level Crossings

Tr

…a new detector loopthat will help facilitatetraffic over the tracks…

New Walgreen’sStore Day Care290’

3. New Interconnect

Roadway Intersections near Level Crossings

Field Review:One Detector LoopInput Not Programmed in Traffic Signal ControllerNo Remote Monitoring or SecurityNO TRACK CLEAR GREEN

3. New Interconnect

Roadway Intersections near Level Crossings

3. Capacity Upgrades at

Existing Interconnect (Pre-Signal)

3. Capacity Upgrades at

Existing Interconnect (Pre-Signal)

Increased Clearance Intervals (Yellow & All Red)Coordinated Increase of Warning Time with RR

MWT (TS) = 1s Delay + 1s Min Green + Yellow + All Red + Track Clear Green

3. Capacity Upgrades at

Existing Interconnect (Pre-Signal)

Traffic Signals on Railroad Signal BridgeStop Bar to Allow for Sight Lines Along Tracks“You build it and they will come.”

Before

After

3. Capacity Upgrades at

Existing Interconnect (Pre-Signal)

Don’t Forget the Small Items Big Impact

Reflective Delineators - Reducing Cars Driving Onto Tracks

3. Triangle Interconnect Upgrade

Roadway Intersections near Level Crossings

Right Turn Bypass Lane

Photo Enforcement

Level Crossings Tied Together (RR Gates Descend and Ascend Together)

Warning Time Increased to Clear Both Legs of the Triangle1 to 2 Train-Vehicle Crashes Per Year (20 years) 0

3b. Triangle Interconnect Upgrade

- Illinois Case Studies-

Crossings/Gates Tied Together

Gates at Both Crossings Stay Downwith Station Stop (Inbound/Outbound)

Warning Time Increased

One Traffic Signal Controller

Oakton

Dee

Summary - Illinois Case Studies

Road Intersections Near Level Crossings

1. Non-Interconnect – Geometric Changes/Incidents away from Crossing

2. Interconnect but No Active RR Devices – Consider RR Operations

3. New Interconnect – Awareness of Rail and Highway Operations

4. Capacity Upgrades at Existing Interconnect – Check the Timing

5. Triangle Configurations - Simplify/Limit Downstream Movements,

Tie Crossings Together